Amidst long-standing reservations against construction of the Sungai Besi-Hulu Kelang Elevated Expressway (SUKE), Selangor state exco member Zaidy Abdul Talib today said that the objections raised have been "cleared" with the protesters.

Zaidy, who is in charge of infrastructure, told Malaysiakini that this was based on the outcome of a meeting held yesterday with representatives from the 'Say No To SUKE' group.

The Taman Templer assemblyperson said there were four main issues discussed and the state had provided explanations for at least three issues, barring proposals from the group for alternative transportation modes.

"At the last exco meeting (on Jan 14), we found that the concerns raised were inaccurate. So we decided to call the group (Say No To SUKE) for a meeting so we can explain the matter," said Zaidy.

Among others, he cited claims that the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report for the project had lapsed in March 2015.

"This is not correct. The EIA report has been extended until March 2017," he said.

At the meeting yesterday, Zaidy ( photo ) said there were also officers and consultants who were present to provide technical explanations related to the project.

"We have followed all the procedures (to approve the project)," he insisted.

The meeting was also held following Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali's statement on Monday that all environmental laws will be strictly adhered to in the construction of both SUKE and the East Klang Valley Expressway (EKVE), for which there are also objections.

“We will follow the National Forestry Act 1984 and we will also ensure there are proper public briefings,” Azmin reportedly said.

Group remain unsatisfied

Contacted for comment, Say No To SUKE chairman Agos Hasan Ashari however said they remain unsatisfied with the state government's stand in dealing with their concerns.

"Basically in a nutshell it (the meeting) wasn't a discussion to understand our grouses.

"It was a platform to basically tell us our concerns are not valid as we don't have any experts and to show people not involved that they 'care' and have listened to us," Agos told Malaysiakini .

He said the group had demanded for a written explanation which the state government has failed to provide.

Agos also claimed that all data presented by the group to back-up their concerns were outrightly dismissed by the Selangor government.

SUKE is a 24.4km long dual carriageway that will serve as an alternative route to the busy Middle Ring Road II.